Albacete Campaign – Day 12

Campaign Map on 19 September 1813

Giron launches a surprise attack by his whole army on Hellin

                                   

Suchet has dispersed his army to support his supply bases

He has concentrated his supplies at Hellin, and is not prepared to abandon them

He orders his army to concentrate and hold the town

Battle of Hellin -  last move

Three French and four Spanish corps took part in the battle of Hellin

Both sides started the battle with previous battle casualties

This was a very hard fought battle, and both sides lost heavy casualties

The Spanish took the left flank and half of the town

The French held the right flank and half of the town

By nightfall the French had seven brigades in rout, and the Spanish ten

All of the remaining brigades on both sides had heavy casualties

The deciding factor was one of command and control, plus supply

The Spanish were not capable to regrouping their army to fight a second day

All four corps were reduced to one days supply each and could not resupply

The result was a draw, but as the Spanish retreated the French could claim a victory.

Campaign Notes      

This was a fitting final battle to decide the campaign.

The Spanish army was considerably stronger with 53600 infantry, 1900 cavalry and 114 guns.  The French had 38400 infantry, 2800 cavalry and 87 guns.

The French superiority in cavalry would allow them to delay the Spanish deployment.   But the Spanish superiority in artillery would give them a huge advantage.   The stronger Spanish infantry would allow them to absorb more casualties than the French.

Both armies had battle casualties.   Most brigades started the battle with at least  10% casualties.  This reduced their combat ability and made them very vulnerable when testing morale.   One rout could easily affect nearby brigades who had such casualties.

The Spanish had the disadvantage that one of their corps would not arrive on the table until the start of move 5.  It would take them four moves to advance and deploy, leaving them only four moves of fighting.

The battle opened well for the Spanish.   The French artillery were ineffective against the approaching Spanish infantry.   Only three Spanish corps were involved in the initial attack, but they still managed to take the woods on the left and half of the town.

The fourth Spanish corps was tasked to take the remaining half of the town.   Both the artillery and all four infantry brigades started with 10% casualties.   They fought hard to take the town and routed the initial garrison.  But the French counter attacked with a fresh brigade and managed to hold until nightfall.

At nightfall the Spanish held the left half of the table, and the French the right half.  The French had lost seven of their brigades in rout

The Spanish lost ten brigades, including half of their artillery

Darkness would allow the French to redeploy to hold their half of Hellin, and prepare a counter attack against the Spanish held half.   Their remaining brigades had less casualties than the Spanish brigades.  

The deciding factor was supplies.    The French had managed to resupply before the battle and had three days each.   The Spanish had only one day, and were too far from their depots to resupply.   

The Spanish must retreat or start to suffer attrition casualties.   They retreat.

Albacete Campaign – Day 11

Campaign Map on 18 September 1813

Suchet is surprised to find that the guerrilla threat has disappeared

He orders his three corps to hold their position and resupply

He also orders transfer of supplies from Riopar and Elda to Hellin

                                                               

Giron orders his army to move north and deploy in front of Molina

All four corps remain within supply range of their three supply depots

All four are also now concentrated ready to attack Hellin

He also orders 4 and 6 militia brigades to move into contact with Riopar and Elda

This forward movement has caught Suchet by surprise

The Spanish have gained a day’s march on the French

Campaign Notes      

Suchet is pleasantly surprised to find that the guerrilla threat in the north has disappeared.   However he orders his three corps to remain in position, and resupply, whilst he reorganises his supply system.

The French can move up to 4 days supplies, and the Spanish three days,  between depots each day, providing that both depots are within three squares and have a road between them.

Both Elda and Riopar have spare supplies, whilst Hellin is low.   So he orders both to transfer two days supplies to Hellin.  This will enable him to concentrate his army at Hellin and still supply all three corps.

Giron orders his army to move forward and deploy just north of Molina.   All four corps are concentrated, with the weakest corps in reserve.   From this position they can attack Hellin.   They are also within supply range of their three depots.

He also orders guerrilla brigades to move into contact with Riopar and Elda.   This will pin their garrisons and prevent them rejoining the main French army.

This aggressive move has caught the French commander by surprise.   He is not used to the Spanish taking the offensive.   He expected them to remain on the defensive at Molina and allow him to reorganise his supply system.

This over confidence has placed the French in a dangerous position should the Spanish attack tomorrow.

Albacete Campaign – Day 10

Campaign Map on 17 September 1813

French army halt and resupply

The French retreat has forced 3 and 5 militia brigades to move to safety

5 militia brigade was out of supply and lose 400 attrition casualties for moving

The Spanish field army resupply, rally and reorganise.

Each corps also receive battle casualty replacements

Campaign Notes

Both armies are at last able to resupply

This is more difficult for the French because they are more dispersed

Two of the three corps are fully resupplied, but 7^th corps has only received two days

It avoids any attrition casualties, but Suchet will still have to rearrange his depots

It is much easier for the Spanish, because they are more concentrated

All four corps are now have three days supplies

All brigades have rallied and are now fully formed

Each corps has received battle casualty replacements

One brigade in each corps receives 100 cavalry/artillery or 400 infantry replacements

The Spanish army is now fully supplied and ready to take the field again

However some brigades still require more battle casualty replacements

They can move without them, but will be weaker should they have to fight.